It's going to be one interesting match...really intriguing. Alcaraz seems supremely confident they way he walks around and carries himself on court. I can't imagine he's going to be overawed. But he is going to have to be good to beat Rafa in his current form. I only saw the first set against Nick but Rafa was playing well when it counted and has knack of winning extended deuce games. I find it almost annoying how he does that.
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Good start for Alcaraz...2-0. Rafa playing the consistency card. Already you wonder whether Alcaraz can sustain it.StottyComment
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Alcaraz is blisteringly quick...StottyComment
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Rafa leads 4-2. My worries about Alcaraz sustaining his blistering form seem well founded. His serve is lacking technically and he doesn't seem to serve with any tactical intention, he lacks placement. Not sure how you beat Rafa with a deficient serve because it's tough to blister winners all afternoon off the ground, which is what it's going to take.
Still early days but the writing looks already on the wall.StottyComment
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Now 4-4...getting interesting again. Rafa clearly thinks consistency will do it. Put plenty into play and let Alcaraz's unforced error count do the work. Let's see...
StottyComment
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Rafa nicks the first set 6-4 and looks overall the superior player in most departments. If Alcaraz had a better serve in terms of placement and tactical intention, he would be right up there with Rafa. A bludgeon just won't do it.
Alcaraz has electric speed around the court...reminds me of his opponent at 20. Bedtime here for Stotty but the writing looks on the wall to me.StottyComment
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Alcaraz to me is the best clay court prospect since Rafa. No, he is not as good at this point in his career as Nadal was, but that is the absolute highest standard. It will be interesting to see if Alcaraz, as his career unfolds, to see if he can become the 2nd best Spanish tennis player ever. And yes, his foot speed/court coverage is as good as anyone out there.Last edited by stroke; 03-19-2022, 04:32 PM.Comment
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And one more thing, I have long liked Fritz' game.Comment
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Well he certainly earned his place in the final. I saw the second set which seemed to be ebbing Rublev's way at one point. I liked the way he was hitting his forehand when he got the opportunity, really pummelling it. He needs to carry that form into the final...and a bit more if he can. I will be rooting for him for sure. It would be great to see him win it in front of a home crowd. It wouldn't do American tennis any harm.StottyComment
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It is going to take an immense effort by Taylor is he can win it. Oddmakers have Rafa at 80% implied probability of winning. The effort and level of play by Rafa and Alcaraz was something in that 3rd set. Rafa had some of his best net play/hand skills I have seen from him. Alcaraz actually had better looking match stats winners to errors yet still lost of course. Very unusual that, but Rafa was at his fight for every point best.Comment
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Well done to Fritz but that was one disappointing final. I gave up after the first set and a bit and went to bed. Not sure what was wrong with Rafa but he seemed impaired in some way. The commentators seemed to think he'd pulled a muscle in the chest area.StottyComment
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Yes, it was strange and a bit anti-climactic, but then developed its own drama. Rafa's not my favourite, but he earned respect for fighting against the inevitable. I'm sure the tournament is extremely grateful for his decision to play, and then play on (after first set). Pec. major injury is bad (personal experience) and hobbles serve and forehand.Comment
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Heard the Rafa injury is stress fracture to rib. I think that's better than pec. major injury. Should be straightforward recovery to full health.Comment
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